The Gautam Gambhir-MS Dhoni rift: 2011 World Cup final, controversial comments, and the ongoing tension

Two stalwarts of Indian cricket ！ Gautam Gambhir and MS Dhoni ！ have shared a complex relationship over the years. While both played pivotal roles in shaping the future of Indian cricket, the two prominent figures have contrasting personalities, leadership styles, and specific incidents during their careers.

Recently, new photos from Rishabh Pant's sister's wedding in Mussoorie have been going viral, and among the stars present were MS Dhoni and Gautam Gambhir. The two posed together for a heartwarming photograph with the newlyweds, and the image quickly gained traction on social media.

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While the two are back in the news, let's take a look at the history between the players and whether there was ever a rift.

2008 Test series: The beginning of the rift?

The first signs of tension between Gambhir and Dhoni surfaced during the 2008 Test series against Australia, following a run-out incident involving Gambhir. The disagreement that ensued highlighted their differing views on aggression and sportsmanship, offering a glimpse into the contrasting philosophies that shaped their playing styles.

2011 World Cup Final: Who took India to victory?

India's 2011 World Cup win is a cherished moment in cricket history, with MS Dhoni's iconic match-winning six earning widespread praise. However, many fans and experts have highlighted Gautam Gambhir's crucial 97-run knock as the foundation of the victory.

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Controversy arose when post-match narratives focused more on Dhoni's heroics, prompting Gambhir to voice his frustration, emphasizing that cricket is a team sport and every player's contribution deserves recognition.

2012 Tri-Series: The transition to young players

In the 2012 tri-series in Australia, MS Dhoni prioritized fielding due to the large grounds, opting to rotate Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, and Gautam Gambhir instead of playing them together. This decision didn't sit well with Sehwag and Gambhir, who openly expressed their dissatisfaction. When Gambhir was dropped in 2012-13, he later voiced frustration, stating the reasons behind his exclusion were unclear.

IPL: Rivalry continues

Adding fuel to fire was the Indian Premier League (IPL) where their rivalry sharpened, especially during clashes between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK). As of now, while Gambhir has exited the IPL after mentoring KKR to victory in 2024, Dhoni shows no signs of retiring just yet and will be playing in the IPL 2025.

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Controversial comments and public spats:

Over the years, Gambhir has repeatedly criticized the "Dhoni-centric" narrative around the 2011 World Cup win, stressing that it was a team effort, highlighting key contributions from Yuvraj Singh, Zaheer Khan, and himself.

Dhoni, meanwhile, has mostly remained silent on the matter, maintaining his composed demeanor. However, his supporters have frequently clashed with Gambhir online, adding fuel to the ongoing tension.

The ongoing tension:

Despite their on-field successes, Gambhir and Dhoni's relationship appears distant, with minimal interaction during commentary stints or public events. Speculation about their rift continues, often linked to contrasting leadership styles and personality differences.

Now on separate paths ！ MS Dhoni still active in the IPL and Gautam Gambhir coaching the Indian cricket team ！ their complex dynamic remains a topic of intrigue. As cricket moves forward, fans hope the two icons of Indian cricket will share more moments together, both on and off the field.

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